Chinese Super League club Guangzhou R&F FC's satellite team, R&F FC Hong Kong, is reportedly hoping to gain fans in the Hong Kong Premier League as the club is set to join the said domestic league next season.

R&F FC Hong Kong's request to participate in the Hong Kong top flight next year was approved last July and the development was received with mixed reactions from the local fans, which had given the team's management and officials some concerns moving forward.

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Guangzhou R&F vice-president and R&F Hong Kong chairman Hwang Shenghua recently told reporters that he hoped "local fans would embrace the China Super League club when they make their debut in the new Hong Kong Premier League season", as per the South China Morning Post.

According to the report, the team, which is set to be coached by the 34-year-old former Guangzhou FC senior player Li Zhihai, is composed of "a mixture of China and Hong Kong players" and will suit up as the 11th club in Hong Kong's first division competitions.

"In a long run, our target is to become a club with roots in Hong Kong and produce players for the Hong Kong national team," said Hwang in a press briefing on Sunday.

"In fact, our parent company, R&F Properties, is a listed company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. We hope the Hong Kong soccer community can accept a club from China so that we can work together for the betterment of the sport for both areas," he said.

Hwang then continued to say that the club has "all the required infrastructure for a professional club" including the proper facilities and coaching system that can also help the Hong Kong league in the long run.

Meanwhile, Guangzhou R&F forward Eran Zahavi is set to compete with his national squad, Israel, in the UEFA World Cup qualifiers against Italy on Monday and had said that the Italian squad "will not underestimate" them in the said match, via Football Italia.

"Italy are stronger, so we must show courage and try to prove what we can do," said the Israeli captain. "It's true we could be happy with a draw. I'm sure Italy will not underestimate us, but they have an excellent squad and are determined to win. They are coming here looking for an ideal debut in the World Cup qualifying group and that means bringing points home."

Zahavi is set to return to China for the Blue Lions' match against Chongqing Lifan on Sunday.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League news, Guangzhou R&F FC, Hong Kong Premier League, R&F FC Hong Kong